By Nefishetu Yakubu
Abuja, Dec. 31, 2025
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body for Nigeria’s registered political parties, has issued a critical call to the Federal Government to immediately rectify significant discrepancies discovered between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the official versions published in the government gazette. This demand strikes at the heart of legislative integrity and public trust.
In a detailed statement released in Abuja, IPAC’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, framed the issue as a fundamental test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law. “When the laws enacted by the people’s representatives differ from the laws enforced by the state, it creates a crisis of legitimacy and operational chaos,” Dantalle asserted. He emphasized that such discrepancies can lead to arbitrary enforcement, legal disputes that stifle business, and a profound erosion of confidence in government institutions. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] For a nation actively seeking to improve its investment climate, ensuring the absolute accuracy and transparency of its legal code is not merely administrative—it is essential for economic credibility and social contract.
Dantalle’s statement, however, extended beyond fiscal governance, weaving the tax law issue into a broader tapestry of democratic accountability. He issued a direct appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging it to commence robust, transparent preparations for the 2027 general elections. His recommendations were specific: ensure a verifiable level-playing field for all parties, conduct comprehensive, publicly observed test runs of electoral technology, and eliminate the technical glitches that have historically undermined public confidence. “The integrity of an election is built years in advance, through meticulous planning and demonstrable neutrality,” he noted.
The IPAC chairman also directed a charge at the political class itself, calling for a definitive shift from politics of division to issue-based competition. He implored politicians to categorically shun violence, vote-buying, and incendiary rhetoric, and instead promote peaceful democratic engagement at all levels. This internal discipline within parties, IPAC suggests, is a prerequisite for the credible elections it demands from INEC.
Turning to the citizenry, Dantalle called for active and informed participation in the upcoming electoral cycle, including the FCT area council polls, the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun, and the ultimate test of 2027. He linked this participation to a collective responsibility for nation-building, stating that peace, justice, and prosperity are achievable only through unified civic effort. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]]
In conclusion, Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s role as a critical stakeholder, committed to collaborating with INEC, the government, and civil society to deepen democratic norms, ensure credible polls, and strengthen national stability. He stressed the need for hope and collective action, ending with a call for prayers and renewed optimism for Nigeria’s democratic resilience and development in the new year.
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
